Music and other warblings from the man who should have shot JR

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:Dancehall

UK producer Toddla T has always proven a reliable source of vibrant party tunes and he’s back, with more feel-good vibes once again on the latest Toddla T Sound Project, the Kensal Road EP.

It is an eclectic mix of the old and the new, featuring collaborations with long-time associate Serocee, The 2 Bears, Mr Lex, Suns Of Dub, Mele and Tenor Fly. It’s a release that cements his reputation for continually pushing his eclectic tastes and shaping them into something dynamic, exciting and fun. Past evidence would suggest that Toddla T is at the peak of his powers with deep, clattering bassy dancehall inspired tunes. ‘Big Tune A Drop (Toddla T VS The 2 Bears ft. Mr Lexx)’, ‘Propellah (feat. Serocee) and ‘Rude Boy Talk’ (Toddla T & Mele Remix by Tenor Fly) would certainly support such a thesis, after all, they are a stupendous master class in heavy-hitting, bass-driven, dancefloor fillers. Oddly enough however, the stand out track is none of these but the simply glorious ‘Walkin’ (Toddla T Meets Suns Of Dub). Instrumentally-led it takes the tempo right down, slowed to a deep and hypnotic dub/reggae pace, this lustrous splendour is complimented by emotive melodies and some of the most wondrous horns. Absolutely marvellous work.

Kensal Road EP is out now. You can sample some choice cuts below or stream it in full here.

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Comprised of Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard and fellow UK DJ/producer Raf Daddy, The 2 Bears have released a series of EPs and remixes since meeting on the club circuit in 2009, a collaboration which culminated with their superb debut album, 2012’s Be Strong. Now, the duo has announced plans for not one, but two new releases: The Lambs Bread and Weepers EP out August 25th, followed by their new LP, The Night Is Young, on October 13th.

Appearing on both releases, their new track ‘Money Man’, sees The 2 Bears shift in a slightly different musical direction. Featuring the vocals of UK reggae artist Stylo G, it begins as an upbeat, bright and happy-go-lucky sounding reggae cut with some playful pop harmonies, beforemorphing into a big bass dancehall beast, and back again. It is not just the aesthetics they have embraced, discussing their intentions for the release Goddard said: “I love tunes that disguise things. A really sweet melody with a really dark sentiment. ‘Money Man’ is meant to be like that, you can have those glossy reggae records that still say something. We didn’t want to just be in that culture of not saying anything, where it’s all a fantasy world and everyone just goes and gets fucked up but no one says anything.” With ‘Money Man’ The 2 Bears play these dynamics off each other with perfection. Utilizing the steady rhythms, cheery vibes and sunny disposition as a means of allowing the politically-charged lyrical attack on capitalist society and it’s ‘money men’ go down much easier. ‘Money Man’ is all kinds of marvellous from The 2 Bears, and it comes with a pretty snazzy new video to boot, driving home a similar sentiment as the song itself, with added satire and smirking.

The Lambs Bread and Weepers EP out August 25th, followed by their new LP, The Night Is Young, on October 13th via Southern Fried Records.